Theoretical and applied research

Theoretical Research
Theoretical research focuses on testing, creating, or improving theories within a field. It aims to
enhance understanding and develop new ideas or refine existing ones.

Applied Research
Applied research uses the knowledge from research to address real-world problems or provide
solutions to contemporary issues. It often deals with specific goals, such as solving problems or
improving policies.

Overlap in Research
The line between theoretical and applied research is not always clear, especially in social
sciences. Both types of research influence and complement each other. Good social research
often combines theory and practical investigation to provide deeper insights and better
interpretations.

Applied Social Research

Applied social research focuses on evaluating or developing policies in areas like health,
education, housing, and social care. It uses social theory to provide context and interpret
evidence, addressing broad or specific social issues.

Growth of Applied Qualitative Research

Earlier Trends
Until the late 20th century, qualitative methods were mainly used to build social theories rather
than directly influence policy. Policymakers often preferred numerical data, leading to a
dominance of statistical methods.

Shift Towards Qualitative Methods

Over time, there was a growing realization that qualitative research is essential for understanding
complex social problems and evaluating policies. This led to wider acceptance and application of
qualitative methods in social policy research, although its potential is still underused.

Evidence-Based Policy
The concept of "evidence-based policy" emerged from medicine and expanded to other fields.
Initially, qualitative evidence was undervalued compared to statistical or scientific data.
However, this narrow view of "evidence" has been criticized, as qualitative research provides
critical insights that numbers alone cannot.

The functions of qualitative research

1. Contextual:

 Purpose: - describing the form or nature of what exists.

 Examples:
 o How do parents define "good behavior" in children?
o What does social isolation feel like?
o How do different groups define "a good standard of living"?

Why it’s useful: It captures detailed insights in participants' own words, helping to "unpack"
complex social phenomena.

2. Explanatory:

 Purpose: examining the reasons for, or associations between, what exists.

 Examples:
o Why does racism occur?
o What influences people's decisions to volunteer?
o Why do some people avoid preventive health services?

Why it’s useful: It explores the deeper reasons behind behaviors, beliefs, or events.

3. Evaluative:

 Purpose: appraising the effectiveness of what exists.

 Examples:
o What makes an employment program effective?
o How do welfare programs impact participants?
o What factors lead to successful resettlement of homeless people?

Why it’s useful: It provides insights into processes, outcomes, and the needs of different groups.

4. Generative:

 Purpose: aiding the development of theories, strategies or actions.

 Examples:
o Developing strategies to stop school bullying.
o Proposing solutions for preserving environmental resources.
o Redefining social concepts like "family" or "social exclusion."

Why it’s useful: It encourages innovation and creative thinking for policy-making and social
theory.

Qualitative research as an independent research strategy

1. Ill-defined/ not well understood: When the subject is not well understood, e.g., teenage
drug use or refugee resettlement.
2. Deeply Rooted: When exploring sensitive or emotional topics like bereavement or
personal autonomy.
3. Complex Topics: For intricate issues like fiscal policy, spirituality, or decision-making
processes.
 4. Specialist: For collecting insights from experts, professionals, or unique societal roles.
5. Delicate or Intangible Topics: For studying fragile concepts like cultural norms or
empathetic responses.
6. Sensitive Topics: When addressing emotional subjects like abuse, illness, or relationship
breakdowns.

The functions of different qualitative methods

Different qualitative methods serve unique purposes based on the goals of the research. The
choice of method depends on the type of data needed and how the research questions will be
addressed. These methods can be broadly divided into two categories:

1. Naturally Occurring Data

This type involves studying phenomena in their natural environment, without altering or
creating situations. It helps capture real-world behavior, especially for understanding social
norms, subconscious actions, or complex behaviors. Key approaches include:

 Participant Observation: The researcher actively joins the group or community to

observe and experience events firsthand, gaining deep insights.
 Observation: The researcher observes behaviors and interactions without becoming a
part of the group. This is useful for studying processes, non-verbal communication, or the
effects of specific events.
 Documentary Analysis: Examines existing materials (e.g., reports, letters, photos) to
understand events, history, or communication styles. It’s useful when direct observation
isn’t possible.
 Discourse Analysis: Studies how language and text shape perceptions of society, events,
and individual behavior.
 Conversation Analysis: Examines the structure and flow of conversations to understand
how social interactions are organized and maintained.

2. Generated Data

These methods involve asking participants to reflect on and recount their experiences,
thoughts, or behaviors. They help understand personal perspectives and the meanings people
attach to their actions. Approaches include:

 Biographical Methods: Use life stories and personal narratives to explore individual
experiences within a cultural or social context.
 Individual Interviews: One-on-one sessions that provide detailed insights into personal
experiences, motivations, or complex topics.
 Paired or Triad Interviews: Interviews with two or three participants to encourage
reflection and comparison of experiences or viewpoints.
 Focus Groups: Group discussions where participants share and debate their perspectives,
allowing researchers to study how ideas develop and evolve in a social setting.
3. Combining Methods

Researchers often mix qualitative methods to get a fuller understanding of a topic. For example,
they might use:

 Observations to study natural behaviors alongside interviews for participants’ reflections.

 Focus groups to identify issues, followed by interviews for deeper exploration.

The choice of methods depends on the research goals, the type of data needed, and the
researcher’s philosophical approach to studying the topic.

Combining qualitative and quantitative methods

Researchers often debate whether qualitative and quantitative methods can or should be
combined. Some argue they are too different in their principles, while others believe using both
can provide valuable insights. Rather than mixing the two completely, the goal is often to use
them to understand a topic from different angles.

Why Combine Them?

 Qualitative research explores the "why" and "how" of issues, giving deeper understanding and
context.
 Quantitative research focuses on measuring and analyzing numerical data, like trends and
patterns.

When used together, they offer a broader perspective. For example:

 A study on homelessness could use qualitative research to explore why homelessness happens
and how interventions work, while quantitative research measures homelessness levels and
service usage.

Ways to Combine Methods:

1. Before Quantitative Research:

o Use qualitative research to define terms, identify key issues, and create better survey
questions.
o Example: Exploring attitudes or behaviors to identify variables for quantitative analysis.

2. Alongside Quantitative Research:

o Use both methods on the same topic to gather complementary data.
o Example: Quantitative data might measure overspending in services, while qualitative
data explores why overspending happens.

3. After Quantitative Research:

o Follow up statistical findings with qualitative research to add depth and explain
patterns.
 o Example: If a survey finds certain disabled people are working in open employment,
qualitative research could explore how they achieved this.

Importance of Triangulation:

Triangulation uses multiple methods or sources to enhance understanding and ensure findings are
thorough, not just numbers-based. While it may not provide absolute certainty, it adds depth and
breadth to the analysis.

Conclusion:

Combining methods enriches research by offering diverse insights, especially for complex social
issues. While some fields still favor numbers, attitudes toward qualitative methods are
improving, and their use continues to grow. Together, these approaches can lead to more
comprehensive and impactful research.